Folding workbench modifications

[kinggsxr]

I'm looking for a folding workbench that is also mobile where I can move it around the garage and then fold it away on a wall when not in use.

I found the 2 tables below from Home Depot which almost fit the bill but are designed to be permanently bolted to the wall and are not recommended to be used as mobile benches:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...d-Top-Workbench-in-Black-G7200FW-US/315530067

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...ood-Top-Workbench-in-Black-WSH72FWB/302428331

These seem to go on sale pretty often and can be had for about $50 cheaper than current price if timed right so I am thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these and modifying to allow it to be both foldable and mobile.

First thoughts are using a latch where I can mount and unmount from the wall. I think someone in one of the reviews did something like that.

Another idea I had was to get the one with the black metal back and remove the hinge so where the black piece stays on the wall and I slide in a bolt or something to mount it but that might be kinda out there.

Anyone have any suggestions or done something similar? TIA

 

[Zeke]

Since first one has casters, perhaps you can modify the mount. At the very least you could install something like closet bolts where the mounting holes are and use thumbscrews. Seems like it would stand alone, but I'm not familiar with the exact bench.

It does look like the wall bracket is integral to the bench.

Edit: Closet bolts are studs.

 

[kinggsxr]

From what I read the whole thing is like a piano hinge that pivots the worktop down. I am not sure how feasible it would be to remove the hinge and put removeable bolts or pins through it. If that black piece could somehow stay bolted to the wall and the rest of the table could slide in and out freely that would be my ideal setup.

 

[PoorUB]

I'm looking for a folding workbench that is also mobile where I can move it around the garage and then fold it away on a wall when not in use.

I found the 2 tables below from Home Depot which almost fit the bill but are designed to be permanently bolted to the wall and are not recommended to be used as mobile benches:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...d-Top-Workbench-in-Black-G7200FW-US/315530067

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-R...ood-Top-Workbench-in-Black-WSH72FWB/302428331

These seem to go on sale pretty often and can be had for about $50 cheaper than current price if timed right so I am thinking of pulling the trigger on one of these and modifying to allow it to be both foldable and mobile.

First thoughts are using a latch where I can mount and unmount from the wall. I think someone in one of the reviews did something like that.

Another idea I had was to get the one with the black metal back and remove the hinge so where the black piece stays on the wall and I slide in a bolt or something to mount it but that might be kinda out there.

Anyone have any suggestions or done something similar? TIA

I question how stable either of these benches would be if not attached to the wall. The casters threw me off a bit. Apparently they are simply to make the legs fold out easier.

Also, what are your plans for using the table? Building model airplanes has different requirements than engine rebuilding.

 

[kinggsxr]

I was unsure about the casters too. I'm considering swapping them out with locking threaded casters.

I'd use this more for light duty woodworking and some automotive stuff, nothing too crazy. I actually have a workbench already but was looking to expand on that one since its only 18" deep. I got the NewAge cabinet set a few years ago and the worktop that came with it has been ok but could use the extra room on a legit bench now.

 

[Colin Len]

The second one looks to be a bit more self contained and may not need to be bolted to the wall at all. The wall attachment point seems like it was just added onto a folding workbench assembly. Whereas the first one seems to have the wall attachment point really integrated into the design.

There are some decent pics/images in the instructions and on the website for the second one. Makes me think you could surely find a way to do what you're trying to accomplish - except you'd need to remove the entire thing from the wall, not just the bench top.

One idea would be to somehow install studs into the wall. Then you slide the back of the bench onto those studs and throw washers/nuts in place to secure it. Maybe even big wing nuts of some type to make it easy. Or maybe even some sort of play on a french cleat. I think there are a ton of ways you could approach it but definitely seems possible.

 

[kinggsxr]

The second one looks to be a bit more self contained and may not need to be bolted to the wall at all. The wall attachment point seems like it was just added onto a folding workbench assembly. Whereas the first one seems to have the wall attachment point really integrated into the design.

There are some decent pics/images in the instructions and on the website for the second one. Makes me think you could surely find a way to do what you're trying to accomplish - except you'd need to remove the entire thing from the wall, not just the bench top.

One idea would be to somehow install studs into the wall. Then you slide the back of the bench onto those studs and throw washers/nuts in place to secure it. Maybe even big wing nuts of some type to make it easy. Or maybe even some sort of play on a french cleat. I think there are a ton of ways you could approach it but definitely seems possible.

I think the second one seems more mod-able.

I like your idea of studs or pins sticking out of the wall where I could slide into the pre-existing mount holes. I also thought about getting the same locking casters on it to make it moveable too.

The first one seems more odd to me why it would have that design with the casters when its intended to be bolted to the wall. Seems like the below table would be better suited as a stationary folding bench:

Industrial 4 ft. Folding Wood Top Workbench WSHD48FWB - The Home Depot

Create the right amount of workspace with this industrial folding workbench. You can adjust the height to suit your needs. The convenient folding mechanism allows you to assemble and store the bench quickly.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Voi]

I have occasionally had DIY folding workbenches pop up on my YouTube. I rarely watch them all the way through but I have seen some that are rolled up to a wall & hinge on a ledger board of sorts.

Might be worth looking & seeing if they provide any ideas for modifying the benches in your links.

I have an extra Murphy bed hinge & plan to attach it to a folding Paulk bench. I don't necessarily need it to be mobile but now you have me thinking...

 

[kinggsxr]

Rockler Quick-Release Workbench Caster Plates, 4-Pack

Allows you to quickly remove your Workbench Casters (#43501, sold separately) on multiple tools. Also allows unobstructed access to all sides of your workstation.

www.rockler.com

Came across these and now leaning towards the second bench along with some kind of wall mounted pins to secure to the wall... maybe something like this:

 

[CraigStu]

I 'think' I like the second one better. Mainly because the part against the wall is wood so more easily modded. Depending where wall studs are in relation to the ends of the bench these might work for you to follow Colin's idea.

Hillman 1/4 in. -20 x 2-1/2 in. Hanger Bolt (12-Pack) 44946 - The Home Depot

Hanger bolts are headless bolts designed to hang materials from wooden structures, walls, or overhead. They feature a wood screw thread and pointed tip on one end with machine screw thread and blunt tip

www.homedepot.com

Wood thread into wall stud and machine threads sticking out to slip through a hole in your bench.
Another thought would be a common angle bracket

Everbilt 1-1/2 in. Zinc-Plated Corner Brace Value Pack (20-Pack) 18564 - The Home Depot

A 20-pack Everbilt 1-1/2 in. Zinc-Plated Corner Braces are ideal for reinforcing inside of right-angle corner joints. It comes with countersunk design, made of steel and is ideal for use with wood on indoor and outdoor applications.

www.homedepot.com

Screwed to the wall so the horizontal part sticks out at a height just barely above the bench top. Position the bench, drill through the bracket and into the wood bench top. Remove your drill and drop a bolt in the hole. This would have a tiny bit of slop depending how well the hole is drilled in the wood. But grab an extra long bolt so you can cut off the threads and have maybe 1.5 inches of unthreaded area left so it slips down easily. I would evaluate how much you really need the folding option. Hopefully HD has demo benches set up that you can play with. My concern is that all the hinging parts will reduce the solidity of the bench

 

[kinggsxr]

I 'think' I like the second one better. Mainly because the part against the wall is wood so more easily modded. Depending where wall studs are in relation to the ends of the bench these might work for you to follow Colin's idea.

Hillman 1/4 in. -20 x 2-1/2 in. Hanger Bolt (12-Pack) 44946 - The Home Depot

Hanger bolts are headless bolts designed to hang materials from wooden structures, walls, or overhead. They feature a wood screw thread and pointed tip on one end with machine screw thread and blunt tip

www.homedepot.com

Wood thread into wall stud and machine threads sticking out to slip through a hole in your bench.
Another thought would be a common angle bracket

Everbilt 1-1/2 in. Zinc-Plated Corner Brace Value Pack (20-Pack) 18564 - The Home Depot

A 20-pack Everbilt 1-1/2 in. Zinc-Plated Corner Braces are ideal for reinforcing inside of right-angle corner joints. It comes with countersunk design, made of steel and is ideal for use with wood on indoor and outdoor applications.

www.homedepot.com

Screwed to the wall so the horizontal part sticks out at a height just barely above the bench top. Position the bench, drill through the bracket and into the wood bench top. Remove your drill and drop a bolt in the hole. This would have a tiny bit of slop depending how well the hole is drilled in the wood. But grab an extra long bolt so you can cut off the threads and have maybe 1.5 inches of unthreaded area left so it slips down easily. I would evaluate how much you really need the folding option. Hopefully HD has demo benches set up that you can play with. My concern is that all the hinging parts will reduce the solidity of the bench

The second option is simpler and with more variations (such as the gate latch) but I kind of like the idea of the peg in the wall, perfectly lined up with the pre-drilled mounting holes on the bench.

After reading through more reviews I'm leaning towards the second bench and adding those casters from Rockler. A couple people have mentioned how the gas strut seems to want to push the worktop up so would need to secure it down but other than that seems like a solid bench. Doesnt seem like these are carried in store anywhere and are online only so with the next price drop I may just scoop it up.

 

[CraigStu]

Once you get it home it might be possible to relocate one or other end attachment of the gas strut to 'weaken' it a bit.